Windynation solar kit install and performance.

[Muddydogs]

This is for you guys that asked me to report back on the Windynation solar kit. This is the kit I purchased: Solar kit

I just received the kit today which was pretty fast shipping considering the main UPS route between here and CA was washed out in the flooding around Mesquite NV.

I will post some pic in the next few days as I install the components on the trailer but my first impressions of the kit are good. For some reason I thought the wire in the kit would be more flexible then it is so I think I'm going to purchase a 10 ga extension cord tomorrow to use between the solar panels and controller since I will be using the panels in a portable set up until I have more time to do a roof install. I will save the wire from the kit for the roof.

Besides the kit I also purchase this fuse holder to use between the controller and battery as well as an inline ATC fuse holder for the positive solar panel to controller line. For the cabling between controller and battery I'm using a set of 4 ga battery jumper cables I had and battery cable lugs purchased from Windynation.

I will be getting the trailer from storage Thursday after work and starting the install weather permitting although it has to be done by first thing Sunday morning as this is when we pull out.

[Muddydogs]

Install is complete, it was an easy deal and only took an hour to do what I did. Here are some completed pic's.

Overall bedroom shot and up close of the controller.




Wires coming into the storage compartment and along the wall. I drilled the hole in the floor far enough back to get behind the trailer frame rails.

[RJsfishin]

What a revolting development.....forgot the link............

[RJsfishin]

Just for other ideas, this worked very nice for portable panels input, using a 30' Twin lead w/ 2 pin on one end, and MC4s on the other.
Since I changed the panels to roof mount, the 2 pin receptacle has been rewired and relabeled "12v out" now used for charging my 12v scooter battery, or any other 12v battery. And I shortened the extention from 30ft to 6 ft.

[RJsfishin]

mena661 wrote:
Mounting in the bedroom is fine.

Yes, the "close to the battery" rule is a good one.

In my case, I connected to the 12v distribution center, which is under the fridge by the door, but is still an OEM 12 ft run to the batteries. A slight voltage drop, but nothing we can't handle 🙂

[mena661]

Mounting in the bedroom is fine.

[Ron3rd]

Nice looking project, keep us posted!

[Muddydogs]

RJsfishin wrote:
Maybe you have no choice, but the day will soon come when you'll wish you mounted that controller w/ in sight of the entry door,....w/o having to actually go in to see it.. especially while the system is new to you, and being portable. Or have a good pair of talkie walkies ? 🙂

What about keeping it as close to the batteries as possible? I would like to mount it by the entry door with the other gauges but everything says keep the controller close to the battery which for me is the storage compartment in the front of my trailer but I don't want the controller getting beat up by the junk in there so the next closest is the bedroom. From the bedroom to the battery will be about 5 to 7 feet of wire. From the entry door to battery I'm looking at a 20 foot run.

[RJsfishin]

Maybe you have no choice BC of batt location, but the day will soon come when you'll wish you mounted that controller w/ in sight of the entry door,....w/o having to actually go in to see it.. especially while the system is new to you, and being portable. Or have a good pair of talkie walkies ? 🙂

On edit,....and 2nd thought, a shunted amp/volt meter speaker wired back to the door will work just fine too,

[mena661]

Yep, looking forward to hearing how your setup performs.

[brn2romethewest]

You have my interest now. Looking foward to hear how your system install goes and how the panels perform.

Greg

[Muddydogs]

Ok RJ I will be right over to get that wire, its only 13 hours one way no problems. Wonder what the wire will cost per foot figuring in gas.

I did install a volt meter in the trailer a couple weeks ago and the controller does display battery volts, AMP's in from solar and AMP's out to load if hooked to load. Only thing I will probably use the load out for on the controller is to wire a 12 volt charge plug to as I would like to be able to charge my phone in the bedroom where the controller will be located.

I did order an extra 50 feet of wire from Windynation as the kit comes with 40 feet which I wasn't sure if 20 feet would get me far enough away from the trailer.

I was not planning on using the solar to controller fuse as a switch so I was thinking I didn't need it. My plan is to make a wire harness from the controller through the front compartment and out the compartment floor ending in MC4 connectors. My plan from here is to hook the panels to the MC4 connectors hanging under the trailer. I want to be able to close my storage compartment door as we get a few mice running around camp this time of year. I figure if I put the connectors in a plastic bag and tuck them in the frame they should be ok for this trip.

My plan is to see how 200 watts of panel work for me this fall then adjust to my needs in the spring. I will probably mount at least 200 watts on the roof and maybe keep 100 or 200 watts portable but I just don't know. My 2 week trip should tell me a lot but it looks like I might be more worried about the heat then the cold this year.

I will check around town and see if I can come up with some twin lead tomorrow, if not its an extension cord.

[time2roll]

Yes that zip cord would be great for portable.

[RJsfishin]

You have to parallel the wires together somewhere, why not on the roof w/ one down lead.

Oops, you going portable !! You sure do want that twinlead very flexable 10 ga. It is really nice stuff.

[time2roll]

That stiff wire is good for up on the roof to resist flopping around in the wind. Also the insulation is pretty much UV proof. I had no trouble snaking it through my entire trailer to the front compartment.

I would get a second like cable to wire the other side. Best IMO to have a continuous pull from panel to controller.

[RJsfishin]

And don't forget to add one of there,....unless your controller already has it
http://www.eachbuyer.com/led-digital-volt-amp-2-in-1-panel-meter-voltmeter-ammeter-100v-50a-blue-red...